PHOENIX — Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Alex Vesia slowly walked over, took a deep breath Friday, wiped his eyes, and stared at his cell phone.

For the first time since he and his wife Kayla lost their newborn daughter, Sterling Sol, on Oct. 26, days after being born, he stood in front of a crowd of reporters and spoke for six minutes. He stopped and caught his breath several times, frequently touching his heart He didn’t take any questions, and instead asked for privacy as he and his wife continue to heal.

“The lessons we’ve learned from this is that life can change in an instant,’ Vesia said. “For us, 10 minutes is all it took. Sterling Sol was the most beautiful girl in the world. We got to hold her, change her diaper, read to her and love her. Our time together was far too short … I was not prepared to not bring my baby girl home, but we’re carrying her with us every day.

“Kayla and I will keep those precious moments and memories to ourselves. I hope that anyone listening can empathize and respect our wishes for privacy as we continue to heal and as we navigate the ups and downs of a baseball season.’

“We are beyond grateful to be a part of this organization and this family,’ Vesia said. “So many of you have stepped up and have been there for us in a big way over the past few months, and has meant the world to both Kayla and I.’

He spoke about the healing process including the grief counseling he and his wife have begun six weeks ago, the strength and support the Dodgers organization has given them, the Toronto Blue Jays’ heartfelt gesture during the World Series, and the outpouring of love from all over the the world, including the Los Angeles Rams sending an autographed jersey to them that he plans to frame.

Vesia, who stayed with Kayla and left the team during the World Series, still watched every pitch of all seven games, and was overwhelmed with emotion by seeing that every pitcher in the Blue Jays’ bullpen was wearing his No. 57, his jersey number, on their caps in support.

“They are a first-class organization,’ Vesia said. “Kayla and I just want to say thank you to them. When Kayla and I were watching the World Series, we noticed that there was 51 on Louis Varland’s hat. I immediately texted Gus Varland, his brother, and I asked him if I was seeing that correctly. He texted me back right away, and he said, ‘the Varlands love you, dude, the whole Toronto bullpen has it too. It’s bigger than baseball. We love y’all.’

“Kayla and I, we were very emotional. We were super overwhelmed … the baseball community, the relationships that you make along the way, it showed that was much bigger than baseball. The outpouring of love and support Kayla I’ve had over the past few months, few months, has been unmatched.

“We’re both grateful to not only Dodger nation, but the fans worldwide. My DMs are basically broken on Instagram from all the love and support that we’ve had, I’ve tried to read all the comments and everything because it’s meant the world really.’

While it was difficult for Vesia to leave the team, he knew that his wife and family needed him much more, and watching the World Series together began the healing process.

“For us, in so many ways, that was a light in our darkness,’’ said Vesia, who returned to his Arizona home after the World Series. “I immediately got back into the gym. I started my throwing program. Having something to look forward to has helped me. The gym has been my mental clarity.

“Being around the guys again, preparing for spring training, it’s been really nice. I’ve gotten a lot of love so far in the clubhouse, being able to laugh and joke around. It’s been really nice for me.’

When Dodgers manager Dave Roberts saw Vesia on Thursday for the first time since the tragedy, he hugged him, and they talked for 30 minutes.

“There’s not a whole lot [to say],’’ Roberts said. “You’re just sort of there to help support. That’s something they’ve got to process themselves. … It’s one of those things you can’t even imagine. I can’t think of anything worse.

‘But I do think that getting back to what he loves to do and play baseball, that’s something that’s therapeutic for him.’

Therapy has also been a huge benefit, Vesia says, for him and his wife, strongly recommending counseling to anyone enduring tragedy.

“It hasn’t been easy, but talking to someone, it has made a difference,’ Vesia said. “For those out there who’ve lost a child or are fighting through any struggle, if you can take anything from this, please seek help. Talk to somebody. It’s definitely helped.

“Don’t be afraid to speak up. Your mental health matters. I’ve learned that what happened, what has happened to us, has also happened to so many families. Realizing that has deepened our empathy and our gratitude for this community, the baseball community, is extremely strong. …

“It’s been hard, but we’re doing okay.’

Vesia nodded, looked ahead and then slowly walked back to the Dodgers clubhouse, knowing that his baby girl will never be forgotten, praying and Kayla will one day find comfort and peace.

Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs is scheduled for a Feb. 13 arraignment on felony and misdemeanor charges.
Diggs is accused of choking and assaulting his former personal chef during a December argument.
Diggs’ attorney stated his client ‘categorically’ denies the ‘unsubstantiated’ allegations.

New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs, accused of choking his personal chef during an argument in early December, is scheduled to be arraigned in a Massachusetts district court on Feb. 13.

Diggs, 32, is scheduled to be arraigned at 9 a.m. ET in Dedham District Court. The 11th-year NFL player is accused of felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault during an alleged Dec. 2, 2025, disagreement. The charges were filed Dec. 29.

USA TODAY and The Enterprise of Brockton, part of the USA TODAY Network, will have coverage of Diggs’ scheduled court appearance. Return for the latest from the hearing.

Stefon Diggs pleads not guilty to strangulation, assault charges

In a brief appearance as the first case heard in the court’s 9 a.m. session, Diggs stood in front of a judge, entering a not guilty plea before being ordered to not have contact with his accuser. A pretrial hearing was set for April 1.

The judge had to ask for quiet and order in the courtroom multiple times after the hearing, as many of the attendees began leaving after Diggs’ appearance.

What Stefon Diggs’ lawyer said after Feb. 13 arraignment

After the arraignment, which took only minutes, Diggs’ attorney Mitchell Schuster outside the courthouse said, ‘He is completely innocent of these false allegations that have been alleged.’

He said when the full facts come out they will ‘paint a very different picture’ but he declined to get into details at this time.

‘I expect Mr. Diggs to be exonerated and I’d be shocked if this case goes to trial,’ Schuster said.

– Amelia Stern

See photos of Stefon Diggs’ arraignment

Diggs set for 9 a.m. ET arraignment, represented by four lawyers

Diggs is among seven people on the court’s docket for its 9 a.m. ET arraignment session. He is listed in court records as being represented by lawyers William Kettlewell, Michael DiStefano, Sara Silva and David Meier.

What are the criminal accusations against Stefon Diggs?

USA TODAY Network acquired the police report in which a woman, Diggs’ former personal chef, accused him of smacking her and placing his hands around her neck following an argument about her compensation at Diggs’ Dedham home. The report was filed Dec. 16 and although the woman initially didn’t press charges, she did a week later.

Diggs’ attorney, David Meier, said that his client ‘categorically’ denied the complaints. 

‘They are unsubstantiated, uncorroborated, and were never investigated — because they did not occur,’ Meier said in a statement. ‘The timing and motivation for making the allegations is crystal clear: they are the direct result of an employee-employer financial dispute that was not resolved to the employee’s satisfaction. Stefon looks forward to establishing the truth in a court of law.’  

What have the Patriots said about the Diggs strangulation allegations?

The Patriots put out the following statement about Diggs shortly after he was charged:

‘Stefon has informed the organization that he categorically denies the allegations. We support Stefon,’ the statement said. ‘We will continue to gather information and will cooperate fully with the appropriate authorities and the NFL as necessary. Out of respect for all parties involved, and given that this is an ongoing legal matter, we will have no further comment at this time.’

Diggs was originally scheduled to be arraigned Jan. 23, two days after the AFC championship game. A judge moved the arraignment to after the Patriots’ Super Bowl 60 appearance, a 29-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

Diggs completed his first year with the Patriots in 2025 after signing a three-year, $69 million contract in the offseason. He was one of second-year quarterback Drake Maye’s top targets in their march to the Super Bowl, finishing the regular season with 1,013 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 85 receptions.

Diggs was limited to 37 receiving yards on three catches in New England’s Super Bowl loss.

MILAN — It’s Friday, Feb. 13 at the 2026 Winter Olympics, and all eyes are on the ‘Quad God’ at the Milano Cortina Games.

Elsewhere, the U.S. women’s hockey team faces Italy in a quarterfinal match as the tournament moves into the knockout phase. The Americans have been cruising through and crushing their opponents so far these Games.

Watch Olympics on Peacock

Other action includes the men’s cross country 10km freestyle interval start, the men’s speed skating 10,000 meters, women’s snowboard cross seeding through final rounds, men’s snowboard halfpipe and men’s skeleton.

USA TODAY Sports has a team of more than a dozen journalists on the ground in Italy to bring you behind the scenes with Team USA and keep you up to date with every medal win, big moment and triumphant finish. Get our Chasing Gold newsletter in your inbox every morning and join our WhatsApp channel to get the latest updates right in your texts.

U.S. women’s hockey advances to semifinal

Ilia Malinin left off podium

A major upset in Milan.

‘I was not expecting that. I felt like going into this competition, I was so ready. I just felt ready getting on the ice, but I think maybe that have been the reason that maybe I was too confident that it was going to go well. It honestly just happened. I can’t process what just happened. It happens,’ Malinin said shortly after his program on NBC.

Ilia Malinin up next

Ilia Malinin, the ‘Quad God,’ is up next in the men’s free skate. Follow additional live updates for that event here.

U.S. women’s hockey extends lead to 4-0 over Italy

Laila Edwards fires a long-range shot into the back of the net to give the Americans their third goal in the second period. It’s now 4-0 USA in the second period against Italy. The U.S. women’s hockey team is inching closer to the semifinals!

United States doesn’t medal in men’s skeleton

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy – American sliders Austin Florian (3:46.59) and Daniel Barefoot (3:49.86) finished 12th and 20th, respectively, out of 24 sleds in the men’s skeleton event Friday evening. Florian set a start record for the Cortina Sliding Center in his first two of four runs (4.49, 4.48).Great Britain’s Matt Weston won the gold medal after setting track records in all four of his runs. He finished with a total time of 3:43.33. Germany took the second and third spots on the podium, with Axel Jungk getting silver and Christopher Grotheer bronze. — Payton Titus

U.S. women’s hockey leads Italy after first period

Megan Keller has the U.S. women’s hockey team up 1-0 against Italy in its quarterfinal matchup after scoring at the 13:31 mark of the first period. United States goalkeeper Gwyneth Philips has kept the Italians off the board so far with a pair of saves. Italy’s Gabriella Durante has made some big saves. Team USA is outshooting the Italians 20-2.

The U.S. women’s hockey team is looking to advance to. Click here for live updates of the game.

Ilia Malinin free skate performance coming up

Simone Biles at figure skating

Eleven-time Olympic medalist and seven-time Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles was on hand at the Milano Ice Skating Arena on Friday night to watch ‘Quad God’ Ilia Malinin and the rest of the men’s singles figure skaters compete for Olympic hardware. — Rachel Bowers

Men’s halfpipe results

It was nearly a Japanese sweep in the men’s snowboard halfpipe today. Japanese riders Yuto Totsuka, Ryusei Yamada, and Ruka Hirano finished first, third, and fourth respectively in the event. The only other country represented on the podium was Australian Scotty James, who finished second with a 93.50 on his second run.

Full results

Yuto Totsuka (JPN) – 95.00
Scotty James (AUS) – 93.50
Ryusei Yamada (JPN) – 92.00
Ruka Hirano (JPN) – 91.00
Guseli Valentino (AUS) – 88.00
Lee Chaeun (KOR) – 87.50
Ayumu Hirano (JPN) – 86.50
Jake Pates (USA) – 77.50
Ziyang Wang (CHN) – 76.00
Alessandro Barbieri (USA) – 75.00
Chase Josey (USA) – 70.25
Campbell Melville Ives (AUS) – 43.00

However, these results were not without a small bit of intrigue. During James’ final run, a cord from the overhead camera snapped. Nothing appeared to hit James or throw him off-course during his run, but there were questions regarding whether the mishap threw James’ run off. Early indications point at the debacle having no effect on James’ run.

The overhead camera was promptly moved to above the onlooking crowd to avoid anything else possibly affecting the skaters.

Australian James prevents Japanese sweep in men’s halfpipe

Were it not for Australian Scotty James, the Japanese team would be nearing a sweep of the men’s snowboard halfpipe event.After two of three runs, Japanese riders occupy four of the top five positions, and Yuto Totsuka leads with a 95. Australian star James produced a clean second run and jumped into second with a 93.50.Jake Pates (77.50) still has the highest U.S. score and is in sixth, just ahead of Alessandro Barbieri (75) and Chase Josey (70.25). But all three are going to need some magic and a huge closing run to get into medal contention.Pates and Barbieri each fell on their second runs. – Gentry Estes

Follow the live results here.

U.S. women’s hockey ready to take on Italy in quarterfinals

The United States women’s hockey team was the only team in Group A to end the preliminaries with a perfect 4-0 record. However, the knockout rounds add a new level of pressure.

The U.S. will take on Italy in the Olympic quarterfinals. Follow along with live updates here.

Japanese dominating men’s halfpipe

Three Japanese riders lead after run 1 of the men’s halfpipe final. Ryusei Yamada, Yuto Totsuka and Ruka Hirano are first to third in that order, respectively. Americans Jake Pates and Alessandro Barbieri are fourth and fifth, respectively — rewarded for landing clean runs.

The halfpipe is glistening and the conditions are pure. Riders are going big in what could be a historic night. – Gentry Estes

Norway Olympian wins second medal after girlfriend cheating confession

Sturla Holm Lægreid’s eventful 2026 Winter OIympics continued with a second bronze medal on Friday, Feb. 13, a few days after his decision to reveal he cheated on his girlfriend immediately after winning his first bronze medal went viral around the world.

The Norweigian biathlete finished in third place in the men’s 10km sprint, crossing the finish line just 0.2 seconds ahead of Emilien Jacquelin of France to get on the podium again at the Milan Cortina Games. But his performances have been overshadowed by remarks he made to Norway’s NRK Television at the finish line of the men’s 20km biathlon, when he revealed his infidelity, explained how it had affected him ahead of the Olympics and expressed his desire to restore the relationship.

‘I have tried not to be affected by it,’ Laegreid said after Friday’s race, according to Norway’s TV 2 and translated into English via Google Translate. ‘I am satisfied with what I have achieved today despite the conditions.’ Read more here.

Lindsey Vonn reveals new surgeries in latest injury update

Lindsey Vonn posted another injury update following her devastating crash at the 2026 Winter Olympics, saying she has more surgeries on deck.

In an Instagram video shared on Friday, Feb. 13, the downhill skier thanked people who have been sending her flowers and gifts, saying, ‘It’s just been so amazing and really helped me a lot,’ before detailing what’s next in her recovery.

‘It’s been a quiet hard few days here in the hospital here. I’m finally feeling more like myself, but I have a long way to go,’ Vonn said. ‘Tomorrow, I’ll have another surgery and hopefully that goes well. Then I can potentially leave and go back home, at which point I’ll need another surgery. Don’t know exactly what that entails until I get some better imaging.

‘That’s kind of where I’m at right now. I am just in the hospital, very much immobile, but I have a lot of friends and family coming to visit,’ she said. Read more here. ‒ Jordan Mendoza

Casey Dawson withdraws from men’s 10,000m speedskating event

Casey Dawson, the lone American to make the field in the men’s 10,000-meter speedskating event taking place on Friday, has withdrawn from the event. He’s electing to save his legs for the 1,500-meter race and team pursuit event, where his medal chances are better, according to USA TODAY’s Nancy Armour.

Team USA women get historic curling win over Canada

The United States team of Cory Thiesse and Tabitha Peterson pulled off a historic curling win Friday, beating Canada in the Olympics for the first time. Thiesse and Peterson came from behind in the 10th and final end, taking advantage of having the final stone after the Canadian team of Tara Peterson and Taylor Heide-Anderson pulled ahead with three points in the ninth end.

Team USA improved to 2-1 in women’s curling round-robin play with the win. They’ll next face Japan on Saturday.

Thelen out of medal contention for snowboard cross

Thelen finished third in her women’s snowboard cross semifinal, eliminating her from medal contention just shy of the finals. The 33-year-old American will now race to finish between fifth and eighth place.

Thelen into final eight in snowboard cross

Faye Thelen advanced again at the women’s snowboard cross competition at Livigno Snow Park. She’s the only American left among the last eight racers. Another top-two finish would move her into the final.

Why is Jordan Stolz so fast? Here’s what propels Olympic speed skater

MILAN, Italy — Jordan Stolz resumes his chase for four Olympic gold medals when he competes in the 500 meters at the 2026 Winter Games Saturday, Feb.14.

He’s also chasing a legend, Eric Heiden, who in 1980 became the only person to win five gold medals in a single Winter Olympics.

While Stolz, 21, can’t win five at these Games, he is cementing his status as a legendary speed skater right alongside Heiden. And no man is better suited to compare the two than Bob Corby, who once skated against and trained with Heiden and now coaches Stolz.

“Heiden was probably even a little bit stronger and he was just so powerful,’ Corby told USA TODAY Sports. ‘He just hammered through things like that.’ – Josh Peter

Thelen makes final 16 in snowboard cross

Faye Thelen, a 33-year-old mother of two from Utah, is among the final 16 racers of the women’s snowboard cross at Livigno Snow Park. She finishes second in her opening-round heat and will participate in one of four quarterfinal races to determine the eight semifinalists.

In snowboard cross, four racers vie to finish in the top two and advance to the next round. Those in the bottom two are eliminated from medal contention.

American Stacy Gaskill, 25, also finished second in her opening race to advance. She’ll be paired against Thelen in the next round.

Team USA’s Brianna Schnorrbusch, 20, barely finished third in her opening heat, failing to advance behind Australia’s Josie Baff and Eva Adamczykova of the Czech Republic, who posted the best seeding time of the 32 racers in the field.

The last of the four Americans in the field, 18-year-old Hanna Percy, is yet to go in the last of eight opening-round races. – Gentry Estes

Klaebo ties Olympic medal record

Norway’s Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo won his third gold medal of these games, winning the men’s 10km interval start free. and has now tied the Winter Olympics record for most gold medals for an individual with eight.

‘Klaebo Climb’ set up for gold in men’s cross country

Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo, who went viral earlier in the week for his impossibly swift uphill climbs during cross country skiing events, is about to wrap up another gold medal at the Milano Cortina Games.

The ‘Klaebo Climb’ helped the Norwegian finish the men’s 10km interval start free in 20:36.2 and, barring a miracle, will earn him a third gold at these games.

Australia’s Scotty James wants to ‘revolutionize’ snowboarding

LIVIGNO, Italy – Scotty James has gold-medal-level ambition at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games. As a men’s halfpipe contender and potential favorite, that’s probably healthy.

The Australian’s larger goal entering the season, however, goes beyond the podium.

‘My goal this year was to revolutionize snowboarding in the way that I would interpret it,’ he said during a Feb. 7 news conference. ‘It’s obviously subjective, but I wanted to push it in the way that made me full.’

Men’s curling: Canada stops USA

The U.S. men curling team fell to 1-2 in round robin play after dropping a 6-3 decision to Canada. Team USA’s next match will come Saturday, Feb. 14 against Germany at 8:05 a.m. ET.

Elsewhere in men’s curling this morning, host Italy defeated Great Britain, 9-7.

Why are Olympic medals breaking?

Several Olympic athletes have experienced issues with their medals breaking during the Milano Cortina Games, so what’s the deal?

The medal ribbons are made of fabric, which isn’t very thick or wide. Medals from previous Games had loops or grommets to feed the ribbon through. But the medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics instead have a groove at the top. A metal pin resting in a loop at the bottom of the ribbon fits into the groove, securing the medal and ribbon in place. 

But the pin has a spring mechanism, and when the medal or ribbon is pulled or jostled, it activates, and the two separate.

When asked via email about stories of athletes’ medals breaking during the 2026 Games, the Italian State Mint and Polygraphic Institute (IPZS), told USA TODAY, ‘The medals do not break. For a limited number of medals, the anti-choking safety device activates during celebrations by opening.’

What medals are today?

These are the events that will award medals on Friday, Feb. 13 (times are ET):

Men’s cross country skiing (10km interval start free) 5:45 a.m.
Men’s biathlon (10km sprint) 8 a.m.
Women’s snowboard cross, 8:40 a.m.
Men’s speed skating (10,000m) 10 a.m.
Men’s figure skating 1 p.m.-5:10 p.m.
Men’s skeleton 1:30 p.m.
Men’s snowboarding (halfpipe) 1:30 p,m.

Where to watch Olympics today

Watch all 2026 Winter Olympics events on NBC and Peacock.

Olympics schedule today

All times Eastern.

3 a.m. – Nordic Combined: Large Hill Official Training 1, Predazzo Ski Jumping Stadium (Val di Fiemme)
3 a.m. – Bobsleigh: 2-man Official Training Heats 3 & 4, Cortina Sliding Centre (Cortina d’Ampezzo)
3:05 a.m. – Curling: Men’s Round Robin – CAN vs. USA, Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium (Cortina d’Ampezzo)
3:05 a.m. – Curling: Men’s Round Robin – GBR vs. ITA, Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium (Cortina d’Ampezzo)
3:05 a.m. – Curling: Men’s Round Robin – CHN vs. NOR, Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium (Cortina d’Ampezzo)
3:05 a.m. – Curling: Men’s Round Robin – SUI vs. CZE, Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium (Cortina d’Ampezzo)
4-6 a.m. – Snowboarding: Women’s Snowboard Cross Seeding Runs 1 & 2, Quarters, Semis, Livigno Snow Park (Livigno, Valtellina)
5:45 a.m. – Cross-Country Skiing: Men’s 10km Interval Start Free – medal event, Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium (Val di Fiemme)
5:45 a.m. – Bobsleigh: Women’s Monobob Official Training Heats 3 & 4, Cortina Sliding Centre (Cortina d’Ampezzo)
6:10 a.m. – Ice Hockey: Men’s Preliminary (ITA vs.SVK), Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena
6:10 a.m. – Ice Hockey: Men’s Preliminary (FIN vs. SWE), Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena
7:30 a.m. – Snowboard: Women’s Snowboard Cross Final – medal event, Livigno Snow Park (Livigno, Valtellina)
8 a.m. – Biathlon: Men’s 10km Sprint – medal event, Anterselva Biathlon Arena (Antholz)
8:05 a.m. – Curling: Women’s Round Robin – CAN vs. USA, Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium (Cortina d’Ampezzo)
8:05 a.m. – Curling: Women’s Round Robin – GBR vs. KOR, Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium (Cortina d’Ampezzo)
10 a.m. – Speed Skating: Men’s 10,000m – medal event, Milano Speed Skating Stadium (Rho, Milan)
10 a.m. – Skeleton: Women’s Heats 1 & 2, Cortina Sliding Centre (Cortina d’Ampezzo)
10:40 a.m. – Ice Hockey: Women’s Quarterfinals, Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena
10:40 a.m. – Ice Hockey: Men’s Preliminary (FRA vs. CZE), Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena
11:30 a.m. – Ski Jumping: Men’s Large Hill Official Training 2, Predazzo Ski Jumping Stadium (Val di Fiemme)
1:00 p.m. – Figure Skating: Men’s Single Skating – Free Skating – medal event, Milano Ice Skating Arena (Milan)
1:05 p.m. – Curling: Men’s Round Robin – SUI vs. CHN, Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium (Cortina d’Ampezzo)
1:05 p.m. – Curling: Men’s Round Robin – CZE vs. NOR, Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium (Cortina d’Ampezzo)
1:05 p.m. – Curling: Men’s Round Robin – GER vs. ITA, Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium (Cortina d’Ampezzo)
1:05 p.m. – Curling: Men’s Round Robin – CAN vs. SWE, Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium (Cortina d’Ampezzo)
1:30 p.m. – Skeleton: Men’s Heats 3 & 4 – medal event, Cortina Sliding Centre (Cortina d’Ampezzo)
1:30 p.m. – Snowboard: Men’s Halfpipe Final – medal event, Livigno Snow Park (Livigno, Valtellina)
3:10 p.m. – Ice Hockey: Men’s Preliminary (CAN vs. SUI), Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena
3:10 p.m. – Ice Hockey: Women’s Quarterfinals, Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena

Meet Team USA 2026: Get to know the athletes behind the games

Olympics medal count

Following competition on Thursday, Feb. 12, host nation Italy is leading the medal count with 17 (six gold, three silver and eight bronze). Norway and the U.S. are tied with 14 medals apiece, followed by Austria (12), Japan (10) and Germany (nine).

Get our Chasing Gold Olympics newsletter in your inbox for coverage of your favorite Team USA athletes

The 2026 NBA All-Star Game is just a couple of days away, but the weekend’s festivities start in earnest Friday with the popular NBA All-Star Celebrity Game and the Castrol Rising Stars mini-tournament.

In the celebrity showcase, familiar faces normally spotted in the crowd will get their time to shine on the court. While the basketball acumen will be spotty at best, a good time is sure to be had by all.

Actor and comedian Keegan-Michael Key, actor Simu Liu, rapper GloRilla, ‘Love Island USA’ star Nicolas Vansteenberghe, Grammy Award-winning producer and L.A. native Mustard and ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania are just a few names that will show out Friday night.

There will also be current professional athletes such as Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen, joined by coaches on the sideline like the Antetokounmpo brothers and Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts.

And while Mavericks phenom rookie Cooper Flagg will miss the Rising Stars showcase, there are still plenty of talented players participating, including Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel, Spurs guard Stephon Castle — last year’s Rookie of the Year — and 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe.

USA TODAY Sports has everything you need to enjoy the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game and Rising Stars tournament, including updates, highlights and score:

How to watch the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game

When: Friday, Feb. 13, 7 p.m. ET
Where: Kia Forum (Inglewood, California)
Channel: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN App, ESPN+, Fubo

Watch the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game on Fubo

NBA All-Star Celebrity Game rosters

Keegan-Michael Key (actor)
Rome Flynn (actor)
Dylan Wang (actor, singer)
Shams Charania (ESPN NBA insider)
Jenna Bandy (social media creator)
Rick Schnall (Charlotte Hornets co-chairman and governor)
Tacko Fall (former NBA player)
Jeremy Lin (Former NBA player)
GloRilla (rapper)
Cafu (two-time FIFA World Cup champion)
Amon-Ra St. Brown (Detroit Lions wide receiver)

Coaches:

Giannis Antetokounmpo
Alex Antetokounmpo
Thanasis Antetokounmpo
Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers infielder

vs.

Simu Liu (actor)
Cody Jones (Dude Perfect co-founder)
Badshah (rapper)
Andre De Grasse (Olympic medal-winning sprinter)
Taylor Frankie Paul (‘The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ star)
Mat Ishbia (Phoenix Suns chairman and governor)
Jason Williams (Former NBA player)
Nicolas Vansteenberghe (‘Love Island USA’ star)
Mustard (music producer)
Adrien Nuñez (singer-songwriter)
Keenan Allen (Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver)

Coaches

Anthony Anderson (actor)
Lethal Shooter (NBA shooting coach)
Chris Brickley (NBA player development trainer)

What time is the NBA All-Star Celebrity game?

The festivities get started at 7 p.m. on ESPN, with the game taking place at the famed Kia Forum in Inglewood, California.

What channel is the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game?

Fans can watch the entertainment on ESPN with streaming also available via ESPN App, ESPN+ and Fubo

When is the 2026 NBA All-Star Game?

The game will take place Sunday, Feb. 15 at 5 p.m. ET.

Where is the 2026 NBA All-Star Game?

Los Angeles will serve as host of All-Star weekend and all of its events, including the 2026 NBA All-Star Game, the Slam Dunk Contest and the 3-Point Contest. Events will take place at the Intuit Dome, the home venue of the Los Angeles Clippers.

How to watch 2026 NBA All-Star Game

The game will be broadcast on NBC and will be available for streaming on Peacock. The first game in the round-robin tournament will tip off at 5 p.m. ET. This is the first time in 24 years that the event is broadcast on a network other than TNT.

2026 NBA All-Star Game rosters

Team Stars

Scottie Barnes (Toronto Raptors)
Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns)
Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons)
Jalen Duren (Detroit Pistons)
Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves)
Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Jalen Johnson (Atlanta Hawks)
Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia 76ers)

Team Stripes

Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics)
Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks)
Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)*
Kevin Durant (Houston Rockets)
Brandon Ingram (Toronto Raptors)
LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers)
Kawhi Leonard (Los Angeles Clippers)
Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Norman Powell (Miami Heat)

Team World

Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)*
Deni Avdija (Portland Trail Blazers)
Luka Dončić (Los Angeles Lakers)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder)*
Nikola Jokić (Denver Nuggets)
Jamal Murray (Denver Nuggets)
Alperen Şengün (Houston Rockets)
Pascal Siakam (Indiana Pacers)
Karl-Anthony Towns (New York Knicks)
Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs)

*injured, will not play

MILAN — Team USA didn’t just have Ilia Malinin in men’s singles figure skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Two other Americans shined in their Winter Olympics debuts.

Maxim Naumov and Andrew Torgashev competed in Milano Cortina and stood out in a crowded field to make it a successful outing for the U.S.

In the short program, each of them put up season-best performances, with Naumov earning an 85.65 and Torgahsev with an 88.94. They played to their strengths, Naumov connecting with the emotions of his music and Torgashev becoming “a rock star on the stage” of his program.

Watch Olympic figure skating on Peacock

Although Torgashev wasn’t as sharp in his free skate, he still put up a strong program in his last performance. It looked like trouble early when he stumbled on a quad toeloop, but he executed everything that followed, gracefully sliding across the ice in several sequences.

The porgram netted Torgashev a season-best score of 170.12, bringing his total to 259.06. A tremendous outing, but it put him at fifth place at the time of his performance, putting him in danger of not finishing in the top 10.

It wasn’t as strong of an outing for Naumov, however. He had two falls in early in his program, resulting in deductions, and had some stumbles. He went on to score a 137.71, making his combined total 223.36. It kept him out of the top 10 of the standings. He entered the free skate in 11th place.

Naumov was a sentimental favorite for figure skating fans, as he fulfilled the Olympic dream of his parents, who were among the 67 people killed in the midair collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and an Army helicopter near Washington, DC in January 2025, which devastated the figure skating community. He honored his parents in the short program by holding up a photo of them in the Kiss-and-Cry, and he did it again while awaiting the scores of his free skate.

Torgashev capped off what was a remarkable run, recovering from a tough stretch of the season during which the Winter Olympics didn’t seem like a reality. But it all came together during U.S. nationals in January, where his epic free skate paved the way for him to make the Olympic roster, and he proved his worth on the global stage.

MILAN — “The Quad God” is going for gold.

Ilia Malinin returns to the ice in the men’s free skate on Friday, Feb. 13 where the stage is set for him to become Olympic champion. The 21-year-old U.S. star heads into the final men’s singles figure skating event with a healthy lead over Yuma Gagiyama of Japan.

While the wide expectation Malinin has the gold medal wrapped up, the figure skating world eagerly awaits if he will execute his signature quad Axel. He has yet to do it, and landing it for the first time in Winter Olympic history would punctuate a golden outing. He also is likely to perform his fourth backflip of the Games.

What time will Ilia Malinin perform?

Malinin is scheduled to skate approximately at 4:45 p.m. ET. 

How to watch Ilia Malinin today

The men’s free skate will air on NBC. It is also streaming on Peacock.

Watch Olympic figure skating on Peacock

Ilia Malinin free skate program

Here are the planned elements for Malinin’s free skate:

Quad flip
Quad Axel
Quad lutz
Quad loop
Change foot camel spin
Step sequence
Quad lutz + single euler + triple flip
Quad toeloop + triple toeloop
Quad salchow + triple Axel + sequence
Choreo sequence
Flying sit spin
Change foot combination spin

Are backflips allowed in figure skating?

Yes, they are now.

For nearly 50 years, the backflip was banned in figure skating, after American skater Terry Kubicka became the first one to execute it at the 1976 Innsbruck Games. French skater Surya Bonaly did it at the 1998 Winter Olympics, landing it on one blade, but the move was illegal and she was penalized for it. 

The International Skating Union reversed course and made the move legal in 2024, paving the way for it to be done at the 2026 Winter Olympics, 50 years after it was first done. Malinin has done it in all three performances in Milano Cortina.

SCOTTSDALE, AZ — Bring on the robots, tap your helmet if you disagree, and tell your analytic department it better preparing be for a whole new wave of research.

The automated ball/strike system is here for the first time in Major League Baseball, and general managers, managers and coaching staffs have already begun to strategize the best way to capitalize on a new way to challenge authority.

If the pitcher, catcher or batter disagrees with a ball or strike call, they have the right to challenge the umpire, with everyone in the stands able to see who was right with a graphic on full display on the scoreboard.

Teams get two challenges per nine innings, and as long as you’re proven correct, you can challenge as many times as you wish.

If you’re wrong twice, you’re out of challenges unless the game goes into extra innings.

The only players permitted to challenge are the pitcher, hitter and catcher and pitcher, and it must be issued within two seconds of the pitch being thrown, signaled by tapping your helmet.

If you blow through your challenges early, you won’t have the right to correct an errant call in the ninth inning. If the game goes into extra innings, each team will be provided one challenge in each extra inning.

So, the question for every manager now is who will be permitted to challenge, at what stage of the game, and under which circumstances.

“All I know is that we won’t let our pitchers challenge,’ Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said. “They think everything is a strike.’

Francona laughed, but it’s certainly a sentiment shared by several managers in interviews Thursday, with most saying they would leave that up to their catchers and hitters.

But, of course, not every hitter.

“We’re going to have a lot of conversations about that,’ Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I do think there’s going to be a strategy that comes with it. What that looks like, I don’t think I know right now, but we’re going to encourage conversations as far as leverage, when you use it, when not to, who should, who shouldn’t.’’

So, who has been told they can’t use it?

“I don’t want to say because they’ve already been sensitive when I brought it up,’ Roberts said. “So, I’m not going to name-call right now. I’m not going to say any names but I don’t think that there’s a self-evaluation on who knows the strike zone, who doesn’t, who gets emotional, and understanding everything.

“I’m in favor of it.’

Says Francona: “We don’t have a strategy in place because we want to kind of see how it plays out. I’ve already talked to some of our player development people to ask them how they did it, and then we’ll formulate a strategy and try to do it better than other teams like everything else.

“But I think it’s going to be OK.’

In research by MLB, there were four challenges per games at the Triple-A level last season with about a 50% success rate. The most challenges, 3.5%, were utilized in the ninth inning.

“You want to have one late in the game, just in case,” Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “The top of the first inning on a 0-0 fastball, I don’t want to challenge and lose. We’ll most likely rely on catchers first. Pitchers at times get a little emotional. Hitters can be that way sometimes, too. I think we’re going to rely on the catchers.

“But I want to have one in pocket, when I can, when it’s in a critical part of the game.”

It will be a strategy that will be implemented by teams in spring training, and tweaked throughout the year, with plans constantly being modified on when it should be best utilized.

“We’re going to do some experimentation over the course of the spring,’ said Los Angeles GM Perry Minasian. “We’ve had some staff members that have been more familiar with it than others in the minor leagues, so we’re just going to see how it evolves and how it goes.

“I’m sure every team has had conversations about it and undergone studies. We’re going to get as many different opinions and viewpoints as we can get get. We’ll go through all of the types of things through the course of spring training. I’m not one for a steadfast rule who can use it and who can’t, but I think there will be a certain component of earning the right to do it, who’s capable of doing it and who’s not.

“And I’m sure there will be adjustments made throughout the course of the year. What we may do in April may be different in May, different in June, different in July. It’s going to be one of the unique things about this season.’

The ABS will add about one minute per game, according to MLB’s research, with each challenge averaging 13.8 seconds. The strike zone is also expected to slightly shrink, according to Joe Martinez, MLB’s vice president of on-field strategy. Each player will be measured by height this spring, with strike zones starting at 53.5% of a batter’s height at the top and 27% of a batter’s height for the bottom of the zone

There will be some glitches at times. There were 291 pitches that were untracked out of the 88,534 pitches last spring, according to MLB’s research. And if the computer system malfunctions, the umpires will again have the ultimate authority.

There will also be times when a team asks for instant replay on the field at the same time as a challenge. In that case, the umpires will determine the instant replay result before the challenge is assessed and be given discretion on plays that on the bases that could be impacted by challenges.

The challenge system will not be in effect when a position player is pitching in a game.

MLB also announced that the base coaches must remain in their coaching boxes until a pitch is delivered, hoping to eliminate sign stealing. It also tweaked its obstruction rule so that a runner who initiates contact with a fielder trying to draw an obstruction call will now be called out.

Play ball, and keep those computers churning.

Follow Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale

Four years ago, then-former Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores filed a lawsuit against the Dolphins, New York Giants and Denver Broncos alleging racial discrimination in their hiring practices.

On Feb. 13, Flores – fresh off his third season as the Minnesota Vikings’ defensive coordinator – earned a key win in the case.

The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York ruled that all of Flores’ claims against those franchises will be handled in court instead of arbitration with the league, per documents obtained by USA TODAY Sports.

Judge Valerie Caproni’s ruling denied the NFL’s motion for arbitration and continues the line from last year’s ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. That ruling denied arbitration as well.

‘The Second Circuit concluded that Flores’ agreement to submit his claims to the discretion of the designated arbitrator, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, provides for arbitration in name only and, accordingly, lacks the protection of the FAA (Federal Arbitration Act),’ Caproni wrote in the ruling. ‘The agreement is, therefore, unenforceable because it fails to guarantee that Flores can ‘vindicate [his] statutory cause of action in [an] arbitral forum.’

The ruling found that the NFL’s Dispute Resolution Procedural Guidelines (DRPG) are not an applicable way to settle this dispute. The court disagreed with the franchises’ argument that the DRPG had satisfactory procedures in place for resolution through arbitration.

‘The Second Circuit noted that the NFL Constitution provides for ‘no independent arbitral forum, no bilateral dispute resolution, and no procedure,” the ruling stated. ‘Adding some procedure via the DRPG does not fix the forum’s lack of independence nor make the process bilateral.’

Last year’s ruling in Flores’ favor made a comparison of the DRPG to a coin flip. The Feb. 13 ruling added another comparison.

‘The Second Circuit provided an example of an alternative dispute resolution method: a coin flip,’ Caproni’s ruling stated. ‘This Court would add the always-exciting dispute resolution method known on playgrounds all over as ‘rock-paper-scissors.’ Both have procedures, but neither is arbitration. Nor is the process here, even with the addition of the DRPG.’

Caproni stated in the judgment that the league’s stance on arbitration speaks to a larger issue in the process toward resolving Flores’ grievances.

‘This case, even as it has progressed very little, illustrates the failures of the NFL to provide a process that constitutes ‘arbitration’ as that term is used by the FAA.’

Representatives for Flores, former Arizona Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks and former assistant coach Ray Horton agreed in a statement.

‘The court’s decision recognizes that an arbitration forum in which the defendant’s own chief executive gets to decide the case would strip employees of their rights under the law.  It is long overdue for the NFL to recognize this and finally provide a fair, neutral and transparent forum for these issues to be addressed,’ Douglas H. Wigdor (Partner, Wigdor LLP) and David E. Gottlieb (Partner, Wigdor LLP) said in a statement to USA TODAY Sports.

A pre-trial conference is set for Friday, April 3.

The NFL has not responded to the ruling at time of publishing.